A storm just passed. Here's exactly what hail damage looks like on a roof, how to check safely, and when it's worth calling a professional.
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If you just went through a hailstorm, the damage to your roof isn't always obvious from the ground. Unlike wind damage — which can rip off shingles in plain sight — hail damage is often subtle: small bruises and granule loss that don't leak today but absolutely will in six months. Knowing what to look for (and what to leave to a professional) can be the difference between a covered insurance claim and a roof that quietly fails a year from now.
| Roofing Material | Signs of Hail Damage |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Random dark spots (granule loss), soft "bruised" spots that give slightly when pressed, cracked or torn edges, exposed black mat underneath |
| Metal roofing | Visible round dents, most easily spotted from the ground with binoculars in low-angle morning or evening light |
| Gutters & downspouts | Dents, dings, or dimpling — often the most visible and easiest-to-spot early warning sign |
| Vents, flashing & AC units | Dents on soft metal components — if these are dented, the roof almost certainly took hits too |
| Skylights & windows | Cracked glass or damaged frames — check these even if the roof looks fine |
You don't need to get on the roof to know whether a professional inspection is worth calling for. Start with what you can see safely from the ground:
The tricky part about hail damage is that it's rarely dramatic. A hail-bruised shingle doesn't necessarily leak the week after the storm — the granule loss and cracking simply accelerate how fast that section of roof wears out. What starts as a barely-visible bruise today becomes a leak during next year's heavy rain, often long after the insurance claim window has closed.
When you file a hail damage claim, your insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the roof. It's tempting to assume that's the only inspection you need — but adjusters work for the insurance company, and their assessments can miss damage or come in lower than the actual cost of repair.
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Denver Roofers Austin RoofersOn asphalt shingles, it looks like random dark spots where granules have been knocked off, soft bruised areas that give slightly when pressed, and sometimes cracked or torn edges. On metal roofing, hail leaves visible round dents. Damage is usually scattered and random rather than following a straight line, which helps distinguish it from wear or manufacturing defects.
You can do a basic visual check from the ground with binoculars, plus check gutters, downspouts, and metal vents at eye level. Climbing onto the roof yourself isn't recommended — hail damage is often subtle, the surface can be unstable after a storm, and a professional inspector knows exactly what insurance adjusters look for.
Within a few days if possible, and always before filing an insurance claim. Most policies have a filing deadline counted from the date of the storm, and damage that looks minor at first can lead to leaks weeks or months later.
Most standard homeowners policies cover hail damage under wind/hail or "other perils" coverage, but check for a separate wind/hail deductible — common in hail-prone states and sometimes a percentage of your home's value rather than a flat dollar amount.
It's worth getting your own roofing contractor's inspection in addition to the adjuster's. Adjusters work for the insurance company, and an independent assessment from a roofer who handles this daily can catch damage the adjuster's report missed — which matters if your claim comes back underpaid or denied.